After the content-heavy sprawl of Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando, Up Your Arsenal (Ratchet 3) feels like a return to form - or at least, a smarter evolution of what the franchise does best. It trims the fat, sharpens the gameplay, and delivers a smoother, more rewarding ride, all while introducing one of the series' most iconic villains: Dr. Nefarious.
If Going Commando felt bloated and grind-heavy, Up Your Arsenal is its leaner, more focused sibling. Gone are the awkward Giant Clank missions (save for one forgettable and glitchy exception), space dogfights, and some of the more experimental gameplay mechanics that bogged down its predecessor. What's left is a streamlined action-platformer that plays to the series' strengths: wild weapons, tight level design, and fast-paced gunfights.
And boy, do those gunfights shine. The addition of a second weapon wheel is a godsend, making it far easier to juggle the series' ever-growing arsenal. Combined with improved strafe mechanics and camera control, combat feels smoother and more reactive than ever before. It's the most refined core gameplay loop the series has had so far.
One of the recurring frustrations with previous entries - especially Going Commando - was the grind. Earning bolts (the in-game currency) felt like a chore, and by the end, most players barely scratched the surface of the expansive weapon and armor upgrades on offer.
Up Your Arsenal solves this in style. The Annihilation Nation combat arena not only offers thrilling challenge modes but also becomes a bolt-farming haven, XP playground, and combat bootcamp all in one. It makes progression feel earned but never tedious, letting players actually use and upgrade all those cool weapons they've been hoarding.
Dr. Nefarious makes his first appearance here, and though his motivations are paper-thin - he wants to turn everyone in the galaxy into robots for... reasons? - his flair for theatrics and comedic timing make him a memorable antagonist. The story doesn't quite hit the thematic high notes of the original Ratchet & Clank, where the villain's world-destroying corporate greed carried a sharper satirical bite, but it's definitely more engaging than the narrative lull of Going Commando. The tone here is light, fun, and keeps things moving.
The Verdict:
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal may drop some of the gameplay variety found in its predecessor, but what it gains is far more valuable: focus. It delivers the most refined shooting mechanics in the trilogy so far, meaningful progression, and enough arena challenges to keep players hooked. With a tighter campaign, less grind, and the unforgettable debut of Dr. Nefarious, Up Your Arsenal isn't just a great Ratchet game - it's the blueprint for what the series should strive to be.
